Sydney Pollack to Direct Film on 2000 Bush-Gore 'Recount' for HBO

HBO is revisiting one of the most dramatic events in U.S. election history with "Recount," a film about the 2000 turmoil in Florida to be directed by Oscar winner Sydney Pollack.

Paula Weinstein is executive producing the HBO Films project, which is targeted to premiere in spring 2008.

Written by actor Danny Strong, Spring Creek Prods.' "Recount" chronicles the weeks after the 2000 presidential election and goes behind the scenes of the recounts in Florida to explore the human drama of ordinary people caught in an extraordinary event that would decide the leadership of the country.

"It's a very compelling piece that takes a well-known event and deconstructs it from the point of view of the people involved," HBO Films president Colin Callender said.

While "Recount" takes on one of the most controversial and politically charged episodes in recent history, the telefilm has no political agenda, Callender said.

"It doesn't take sides," he said. "It's a fascinating look at democracy where the rubber meets the road -- a look at the election process like we have never seen it before."